Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: andyoxon on 29 March, 2010, 01:47:34 pm

Title: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: andyoxon on 29 March, 2010, 01:47:34 pm
Just looking to replace the ones I've just rubbed on the road and put a hole in.  Wiggle don't seem to stock any longer.  Are the Bikester (w/o pads) the same as tracksters?  Anyone know of retailers, or a good value equivalent?

Andy
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: hellymedic on 29 March, 2010, 01:53:35 pm
JFGI!
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: delthebike on 29 March, 2010, 01:55:00 pm
The tracksters, beloved of '70s PE teachers, don't have the high cut back of the bikesters.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: andyoxon on 29 March, 2010, 02:20:27 pm
Ggling didn't seem to turn them up on bike sites.  I'm obviously after the unpopular stuff.. ;)  They are out there though.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: numbnuts on 29 March, 2010, 02:22:44 pm
here you go
Bourne Sports Cycling > Cycling Clothing > Mens Clothing > Cycling Tights / Trousers Bourne Sports (http://www.bournesports.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=192)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Butterfly on 29 March, 2010, 02:52:43 pm
There are some on ebay :)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 March, 2010, 03:06:44 pm
PBK do them. Or used to, at least.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Zoidburg on 29 March, 2010, 05:06:02 pm
here you go
Bourne Sports Cycling > Cycling Clothing > Mens Clothing > Cycling Tights / Trousers Bourne Sports (http://www.bournesports.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=192)
I knew Bourne would have them.

It's the kind of place PE teachers shop in.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Fab Foodie on 29 March, 2010, 05:39:37 pm
here you go
Bourne Sports Cycling > Cycling Clothing > Mens Clothing > Cycling Tights / Trousers Bourne Sports (http://www.bournesports.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=192)
I knew Bourne would have them.

It's the kind of place PE teachers shop in.

Geography teachers wear...

Tudor Sports, Cycling Clothing | Cycling Tops | Cyling Leggings | Cycling Plusses (http://www.tudorsports.co.uk/)

Saw a nice chap chap in a pair last week, very CTC  ;).
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: JohnP on 29 March, 2010, 05:46:18 pm
I couldn't find any biking kit on the ronhill site today.  Have they stopped bikester production?
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: andyoxon on 29 March, 2010, 06:01:36 pm
I couldn't find any biking kit on the ronhill site today.  Have they stopped bikester production?

Thanks all.  IME when wiggle says discontinued it means the manufacturer has stopped them (but not always I suppose). e.g. smart lights I wanted a while back...Smart had brought out a new line.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Biggsy on 29 March, 2010, 06:15:37 pm
Wiggle also say "discontinued" when they have decided to stop supplying an item even when the manufacturer is still making it.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: mattc on 29 March, 2010, 06:46:26 pm
JFGI!
Do you mean 'Google'? Cos the problem with old stuff is that Google doesn't know when product lines are discontinued.

(I shan't ask what the 'F' stands for ... )
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: hellymedic on 29 March, 2010, 09:57:43 pm
I Googled for 'bikester' and got several sites that appeared to sell them, mostly for around £22.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: MacB on 29 March, 2010, 10:05:53 pm
When I was looking I settled on the Altura Winter Cruisers from Wiggle, the ones without a pad, for about £25. These are very comfy and I wear them over bib shorts, or 3/4 if very cold.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Chris S on 29 March, 2010, 10:06:51 pm
Bikesters are quite useful - they are my preferred over-wear in the Winter 6 months of the year. This doesn't explain why they are so hard to come by.

When I first bought some, a few years ago, they were £22 for Two Pairs on a Wiggle special.

Now you can just about get one pair for that if you dig about on the interweb. What's going on? Am I the only person who uses them? Surely not!
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: dave r on 29 March, 2010, 10:36:01 pm
When I was looking I settled on the Altura Winter Cruisers from Wiggle, the ones without a pad, for about £25. These are very comfy and I wear them over bib shorts, or 3/4 if very cold.

I couldn't get any Bikesters when I was looking and did the same, went over to winter cruisers. They have been very good over this winter. Wore them with boxer shorts and long john's when it was very cold and just the boxer shorts when it warmed up a bit, very comfy and cosy.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 March, 2010, 09:21:16 am
No, Bikesters are for spring! For winter I wear the aforementioned Tudor things - nice fleecey lining.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: mattc on 30 March, 2010, 10:23:36 am
I Googled for 'bikester' and got several sites that appeared to sell them, mostly for around £22.
"appeared"
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: dave r on 30 March, 2010, 09:57:49 pm
No, Bikesters are for spring! For winter I wear the aforementioned Tudor things - nice fleecey lining.

I used my bikesters for winter tights, used to start wearing them when it got to cold for shorts, and wore them until it got warm enough to go back to shorts.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Ray 6701 on 31 March, 2010, 12:49:13 pm
Winsport sell biksters Ronhill Bikester Trackster | Running Clothes | Wynsport.com (http://www.wynsport.com/products/Ronhill-Bikester-Trackster.html) as do pro4sport Pro4Sport Ltd - Ronhill Bikester Trackster (03116) (http://www.pro4sport.co.uk/running/shopexd.asp?id=10030) both at £16.99
Is it a sign I'm getting older when I start to like tudor sports kit   :o
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: mattc on 01 April, 2010, 11:27:21 am
pro4sport Pro4Sport Ltd - Ronhill Bikester Trackster (03116) (http://www.pro4sport.co.uk/running/shopexd.asp?id=10030) both at £16.99
( + £2 p&P )
Ordered - thanks fungus. I'll update if they turn out to be fictitious stock!

(the chap on the phone didn't suggest they'd be getting to me very quickly, so don't expect 'modern' overnight delivery times.)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: HTFB on 01 April, 2010, 11:33:28 am
A real actual LBS that stocked the Ron Hill Bikesters a year or so ago is Bigfoot Bikes in Hayes, Kent; 020 8462 5004. They may know more about the state of supply.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: ian_oli on 02 April, 2010, 01:06:42 pm
I had to replace a pair after an off late last year. I got something else from a bike shop - Altura - no idea what "model" - as the web supplies turned out to be a bit ficticious. Prefer the Alturas which cost a bit over £30.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: citoyen on 02 April, 2010, 11:48:01 pm
I Googled for 'bikester' and got several sites that appeared to sell them, mostly for around £22.
"appeared"

Quite. Google search results often promise more than they deliver. I asked the same question a few months ago (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=25466.0) when I was looking for new Bikesters. I was also given the "JFGI" response then.  ::-)

I'm pretty certain Ronhill aren't making Bikesters any more.  :(

d.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: ed_o_brain on 02 April, 2010, 11:51:21 pm
Thankfully I'm well stocked up on bikesters. Well worn and plenty bobbled but no holes in them yet  :thumbsup:

I tend to wear them as an extra layer on the really cold days. And sometimes around the house too!

I'm getting a bit annoyed with wiggle at the moment for not actually stocking the things I used to buy from them that I'm most likely to be again.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: microphonie on 03 April, 2010, 09:53:12 am


I'm pretty certain Ronhill aren't making Bikesters any more.  :(

d.


Their website seems to suggest they still sell both Bikesters & the DXB version (plus a women's version):  clicky  (http://www.ronhill.com/product-popups/Legware/index.htm#).

Available via  Up&Running  (http://upandrunning.co.uk/websales/list2.php?search=yes&searchstring=RHSS10LEGWARE&title=Ronhill%20Legware%20Collection&manuidsearch=yes&idmanu=66&banner=ronhillss10)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: mattc on 03 April, 2010, 11:22:24 am
Their website seems to suggest ...
... and round we go again! :)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: citoyen on 03 April, 2010, 11:49:57 am
Their website seems to suggest they still sell both Bikesters & the DXB version (plus a women's version):  clicky  (http://www.ronhill.com/product-popups/Legware/index.htm#).

So it does. It definitely didn't when I looked a few months ago.  ???

d.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: mattc on 11 April, 2010, 08:15:12 pm
Arrived. With new fluoro-yellow side piping. (which clashes with the silver band on the back of yer ankles)

And they're a teeny bit smaller. [luckily my weight is on the way down currenty!] Not a lot, but a bit.

pro4sport Pro4Sport Ltd - Ronhill Bikester Trackster (03116) (http://www.pro4sport.co.uk/running/shopexd.asp?id=10030) both at £16.99
( + £2 p&P )
Ordered - thanks fungus. I'll update if they turn out to be fictitious stock!

(the chap on the phone didn't suggest they'd be getting to me very quickly, so don't expect 'modern' overnight delivery times.)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: drossall on 01 October, 2012, 11:48:42 pm
So what does the panel recommend as Bikester replacements, as I haven't found a current source of them, two years on from this discussion?

I'm looking for lightweight, autumn/spring longs, not bib style, and reasonably loose fitting tracksuit type, as Bikesters always were. Waterproofing not important. Don't want/need padding (I'll wear shorts under them when I do). I basically ride into work in them, and no longer have the figure, if I ever did, nor the desire to wear tight-fitting lycra in the office :-[
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: hellymedic on 01 October, 2012, 11:58:12 pm
Amazon seem to stock them.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: drossall on 02 October, 2012, 12:06:11 am
Not in my size :-[ but I did Google a bit more and find some, thanks.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: fuaran on 02 October, 2012, 12:15:51 am
Note the Bikester Classics have now been replaced by the Bikester Origin, they seem to be a pretty much the same thing.
There is also the Bikester Evolution, which is a baggier version with thicker material.

They seem to fairly easily available from running shops. eg http://www.run4it.com/shop/bikester-origin/ or http://www.startfitness.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=4070,4072&CAT_ID=4093&P_ID=42044
Plus a few on Ebay.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Auntie Helen on 02 October, 2012, 07:55:38 am
I bought a pair from Go Outdoors (may have been tracksters) and another air from Ebay thistime last year.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: drossall on 02 October, 2012, 08:05:19 am
I've gone for Origins, ordered from Newitts (http://www.newitts.com/), which is not a firm I knew before.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: clarion on 02 October, 2012, 10:09:29 am
I find Altura Cruisers a suitable replacement.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: wajcgac on 02 October, 2012, 11:35:57 am
I used to wear Ronhill Bikesters over Endura singletrack shorts in the winter.

When worn out I replaced them with a pair of Polaris Bikeze - slightly more difficult to get over the baggy style shorts.

Better quality than the bikesters

http://www.polaris-apparel.co.uk/product/bikeze

Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 October, 2012, 11:41:34 am
I thought half the point of baggy shorts is that you can wear tights under them!
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: clarion on 02 October, 2012, 11:46:36 am
Naph look.

I wear bibshorts with longs over.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 October, 2012, 11:59:33 am
Naph to keep the riph out of Rapha!
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: ferret on 02 October, 2012, 01:27:59 pm
I've gone for Origins, ordered from Newitts (http://www.newitts.com/), which is not a firm I knew before.

are those pad free ?
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Canardly on 02 October, 2012, 04:07:16 pm
Unfortunately my waist has seemed to have forgotten its relationship to my leg size. Ronhills I quite like,  but their leg length is just silly for my waist size ahem.
Title: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: bumper on 02 October, 2012, 04:08:39 pm
Don't you like the Simon Cowell look?
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: clarion on 02 October, 2012, 04:09:13 pm
I have that problem with my Lusso tights.  I can barely get them over my leg muscles, but there's plenty of length to spare :(
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: jogler on 02 October, 2012, 04:18:11 pm
Unfortunately my waist has seemed to have forgotten its relationship to my leg size. Ronhills I quite like,  but their leg length is just silly for my waist size ahem.

My Ronhills must have been made by the same machinists ::-)

We can't both be wrong ;)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: drossall on 02 October, 2012, 09:08:30 pm
I've gone for Origins, ordered from Newitts (http://www.newitts.com/), which is not a firm I knew before.

are those pad free ?
I assume so. Bikesters have never had pads to my knowledge.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Kim on 30 January, 2020, 03:43:45 pm
This seems like a reasonable thread to resurrect...

My Altura Winter Cruisers are dying.  I'm down to one pair of non-winter Cruisers.  Bikesters no longer appear to exist.

What are people using for unpadded loose-fitting cycling longs these days?  Stirrups and winter warmth preferred.  Bonus points for women-with-arses-and-quads sizes.

(I've just discovered that Endura Thermolite tights still exist, and have ordered a couple more pairs.  Those work well for serious cycling in cold conditions, but are a bit much for more relaxed or utility riding, and - crucially - the ankle zips are incompatible with MT91 boots.)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 January, 2020, 04:02:53 pm
Ron Hill tracksters are still available and they're virtually identical to bikesters.
https://www.ronhill.com/mens-everyday-trackster
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 January, 2020, 04:04:03 pm
Here's the women's version, more appropriately:
https://www.ronhill.com/womens-everyday-trackster
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: phantasmagoriana on 30 January, 2020, 04:05:21 pm
Amazon seem to have something called "Bikester Evolution": https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ronhill-Womens-WMS-Bikester-Evolution/dp/B0042M5YCQ
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: andrewc on 30 January, 2020, 04:09:35 pm
I think the only difference between Bikesters & Tracksters was that the former had a higher waistband at the rear.   
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Kim on 30 January, 2020, 04:19:03 pm
Found an Amazon seller with Tracksters in sizes larger than 10 (the links above only have smaller ones) for 15 quid, which seems worth a punt:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ronhill-Womens-Trackster-Origin/dp/B0050TQ39S
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Phil W on 30 January, 2020, 04:30:11 pm
Ha I still have four pairs of bikesters going strong after 15 years.  Only used on winter commutes but now seeing service on recumbent.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: fuaran on 30 January, 2020, 04:41:07 pm
I think the only difference between Bikesters & Tracksters was that the former had a higher waistband at the rear.
I've bought a couple of pairs of each, I can't tell the difference. Seem to be much the same waistband and fit.
One has bigger reflective stripes on the ankles, not sure if they are Bikesters. And different materials and thicknesses, I think just because some are older models.

Start Fitness still have Tracksters in most sizes.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Kim on 30 January, 2020, 04:44:09 pm
Ha I still have four pairs of bikesters going strong after 15 years.  Only used on winter commutes but now seeing service on recumbent.

Recumbents tend not to eat the fabric of unpadded[1] tights the way saddles do.  But I mostly want these for use on uprights.


[1] Recumbent riding will tend to wear the lycra around the front of the pad of padded shorts.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: De Sisti on 30 January, 2020, 04:55:11 pm
I even use them in the winter to keep the chill off my legs.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Blodwyn Pig on 30 January, 2020, 05:26:58 pm
Use my tracksters most days,  my 'older pair' now have 2 x 50p size holes under my sit bones. Last year wiggle had them on special,  so i bought 2 pairs, only dived into the un opened packet last night to see how thick they are supposed to be.. TOP TIP !!!!!!!!!! replace the drawer cord with stout elastic, and either tie up were you want it, or fit a toggle, as due to the slightly shorter back, in order to keep them 'up' they have to be tight enough to leave a red ring on ones middling bits. bought my first pair in C. 1993 in a small camping/hiking shop in Crickhowell,whilst on a x-mas mtb weekend in my camping bus.  ( these actually lasted me 25 years  ::-),  my last pair lasted about 5 years, but tbf I now use a leather saddle)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Phil W on 30 January, 2020, 05:27:17 pm
Ha I still have four pairs of bikesters going strong after 15 years.  Only used on winter commutes but now seeing service on recumbent.

Recumbents tend not to eat the fabric of unpadded[1] tights the way saddles do.  But I mostly want these for use on uprights.


[1] Recumbent riding will tend to wear the lycra around the front of the pad of padded shorts.

You misunderstand the 15 years has all been upright. Using them on recumbent is just something I’ve started doing this winter.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Kim on 30 January, 2020, 06:11:25 pm
Well that sounds promising...
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Snakehips on 30 January, 2020, 06:31:13 pm
Another Trackster man here, which I buy two pairs at a time from Wiggle when they are on a good offer.  Coupled with Sports World cheapo long johns if I am feeling particularly delicate. (which is more common now than it used to be)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: hatler on 30 January, 2020, 08:23:42 pm
Two pairs of Tracksters here. First pair bought in about 2004/5 and have been used every Winter since. I did buy a spare pair (just in case), but haven't had to call on them yet. The original pair had to be patched up in the sit-bone area before this Winter.

Approx 1500 miles/year on a leather Brooks.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: morbihan on 30 January, 2020, 08:42:06 pm
bloody Hell Ron Hills, that takes me back!
 Essential rig for off duty bootnecks in the 80's. Paired with a Helly Hansen fleece it was like a convention of Max Walls.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Bolt on 30 January, 2020, 09:29:58 pm
I was after some replacement bikesters last year and ended up taking a punt on a pair of Rockbros Thermal Fleece Long Cycling Pants (ebay description!).  Have been really impressed with them, 2XL for my 35" waist is a perfect fit with plenty of length in the leg.  Much thicker and warmer than Ron Hills and quite waterproof so a great option for the winter.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Blodwyn Pig on 31 January, 2020, 06:44:53 am
. The original pair had to be patched up in the sit-bone area before this Winter.

What with / how did you patch them? Pics?  :)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Paul on 31 January, 2020, 06:57:28 am
Ha I still have four pairs of bikesters going strong after 15 years.  Only used on winter commutes but now seeing service on recumbent.

Recumbents tend not to eat the fabric of unpadded[1] tights the way saddles do.  But I mostly want these for use on uprights.


[1] Recumbent riding will tend to wear the lycra around the front of the pad of padded shorts.

You misunderstand the 15 years has all been upright. Using them on recumbent is just something I’ve started doing this winter.
So, to get the most value out of them, one should buy a recumbent before the seat of one’s tracksters starts to wear?
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Blodwyn Pig on 31 January, 2020, 07:07:28 am
Wear them back to front.  ::-)
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 January, 2020, 08:34:20 am
I've had mine about as long as Hatler's had his, but I only have one pair. Last summer I cut the stirrups off, which so far seems like a good decision.
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: hatler on 31 January, 2020, 07:26:42 pm
I've had mine about as long as Hatler's had his, but I only have one pair. Last summer I cut the stirrups off, which so far seems like a good decision.
Why ?  Are your legs getting longer ?
Title: Re: ronhill bikester tights..?
Post by: hatler on 31 January, 2020, 07:27:47 pm
. The original pair had to be patched up in the sit-bone area before this Winter.

What with / how did you patch them? Pics?  :)
The mysteries of the sewing machine are known only to mrs hatler in this household. I don't know if she used patches or not. I'll check, take pics and post later.